Introduction

Lacosamide (la-KOE-sa-mide)

Treats seizures in patients who have epilepsy.

Brand Name(s)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

Vimpat

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to lacosamide, or if you have severe liver disease.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetic neuropathy, or a history of depression or mental illness. Tell your doctor if you also have heart problems such as heart attack, heart block, heart failure, or heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged PR interval or sick sinus syndrome).
• If you develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while taking lacosamide, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink too much alcohol. Other changes might be confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, clumsy, or less alert. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Lacosamide may cause serious allergic reactions affecting multiple body organs such as the liver or kidney. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, tiredness, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Confusion, depression, unusual behavior, or thoughts of hurting yourself.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast or pounding heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Problems with walking or balance control.
• Seizures.
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness.
• Tremors or muscle cramps.
• Unsteadiness (having a hard time standing up).
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision or headache.
• Dry mouth or diarrhea.
• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings.
• Memory loss.
• Tiredness.
• Trouble concentrating.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088